Newsletter

Education Department

Who We Are

ASEF’s Education Department (ASEFEdu) contributes to education policy dialogue and capacity building, and facilitated youth networks. Our projects strengthen collaborations between education institutions and exchanges among young people, academics and educators through interdisciplinary and pragmatic approaches. In doing so, we directly link these key players in education to the ASEM Education Process and ASEM Leaders’ Meetings.

What We Aim For

1. Create and foster sustainable networks between and among policy and decision-makers and civil society representatives to: enable the active participation of young people in society and to promote the values of citizenship facilitate the dialogue between the formal and/or non-formal educational stakeholders.

2. Provide capacity-building opportunities for actors of civil society, with a particular focus on young people and educational agents, in order to: support the exchange of knowledge and experiences on subjects of common interest through dialogue and collaborative learning empower participants to actively engage in the decision-making processes of issues affecting them.

3. Contribute to the development and enhancement of ASEM policies by submitting timely recommendations and proactive feedback from formal and non-formal education stakeholders.

ASEFEdu & ASEM Education Process

Engaging key players from 51 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partner countries, the European Union (EU) and the ASEAN Secretariat, our projects contribute to the 4 priorities of the ASEM Education Process:

1. Quality Assurance and Recognition

2. Engaging Business and Industry in Education

3. Balanced Mobility

4.Lifelong Learning including Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Our Programmes

• ASEF Education Policy Programme

ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC) “Official Dialogue Partner” of the ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMME); forum for university leaders and students to discuss and shape emerging higher education trends in Asia and Europe, and engage with ministers, policy makers and business leaders.

• ASEF Young Leaders Programme

ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) Arena for debate and action on education and ethical leadership, where young professionals meet ASEM Leaders as well as thought and business leaders, to develop a vision for a sustainable future across Asia and Europe.

ASEF Summer University (ASEFSU) Experiential and interdisciplinary learning at its best; 2-week project for students and young professionals to engage with local communities, governments and businesses to develop creative solutions for societal challenges.

Model ASEM Youth conference and political simulation to enhance diplomacy, negotiation, and public-speaking skills, with the opportunity for participants to personally meet ASEM Foreign Ministers.

• ASEF Teaching and Learning Programme

ASEF Classroom Network (ASEF ClassNet) Network for secondary, vocational and high school teachers and students to connect in person and flourish through online collaborations and intercultural exchanges.

• Across the above programmes: ASEF Capacity Trainings

Opportunity for interdisciplinary skills development for ASEM education stakeholders.

Ms Leonie NAGARAJAN

Director

Leonie NAGARAJAN has been working in the field of international relations for over 15 years, with a focus on Education Diplomacy since 2014. As the Director of the Education Department, she is responsible for leading the department in conceptualization and execution of a programme portfolio covering 51 countries across Asia and Europe. Her work addresses education policies, higher education cooperation, university-business partnerships, activities in the field of lifelong learning as well as experiential learning and skills development for young people. ASEF’s Education projects are directly linked with ASEM Education Ministers’ Meetings (ASEM ME), ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (ASEM FM), and ASEM Summits, and enable education stakeholders and the youth to establish networks and create direct connections with the ASEM policymakers and government leaders.

In her previous role as Chief of Staff (2008-2015), Ms NAGARAJAN advised and supported three ASEF Executive Directors in the planning and implementation of ASEF’s long-range strategy, programmes and operations.

Prior to that, Ms NAGARAJAN worked in Public Affairs and the media, including the House of World Cultures in Berlin, the newspapers Berliner Zeitung and Pretoria News and the Icelandic national broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV). Having studied in Berlin, Germany, with a stint at Reykjavik, Iceland, she received her Master's degree in Communication Sciences with minors in cultural and political sciences from the Free University and Humboldt University of Berlin.

Ms Angie TOH

Senior Admin/Project Manager

Angie TOH joined ASEF in February 1998. As Senior Admin/Project Manager, she oversees the Department’s financial and administrative processes and daily operations, as well as provides guidance and training to the team on these matters. Furthermore, Angie is the Project Coordinator of the ASEF Classroom Network (ASEF ClassNet), which provides opportunities for collaborative learning and intercultural exchanges among secondary, high and vocational school educators and students in Asia and Europe.

With over 20 years of expertise in international project management and intercultural relations, she is also deputising the Department Director on financial, administrative and human resources related matters. Prior to ASEF, she worked in the Marketing Department of an MNC in Singapore which dealt with overseas infrastructure projects. Born and raised in Singapore, Angie is fluent in English and Chinese.

Prior to joining ASEF, Reka worked as the Head of International Office at the National University of Public Service in Hungary. Her role was to design and implement the international mobility scheme of the university, to plan joint project with strategic partners, and to build the international brand of the university. Reka had been working as a civil servant before, at the National Institution of Public Administration and the Ministry of Human Resources, State Secretariat for Higher Education and Science Policy.

Reka obtained her first degree at the Corvinus University of Budapest in Public Administration, and successfully completed the Master in Public Administration program at the National University of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Mr Oscar BOIJE

Project Manager

Oscar BOIJE is a Finnish national with partially Bolivian origins. Being an ASEF alumnus of the 4th ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students Forum (ARC4), he joined ASEF’s Education Department in 2016. Oscar coordinates the ASEF Young Leaders Programme, including the ASEF Summer University (ASEFSU) and the Model ASEM projects, as well as supports projects under the ASEF Education Policy Programme.

Oscar is an International Human Rights Law (LL.M) graduate from Lund University in Sweden. He has also conducted exchange studies in Colombia and degree studies in Finland, where he obtained his Bachelor (B.Soc.Sci.) and Master (M.Soc.Sci) in International Public Law. Prior to joining ASEF, Oscar lived in Belgium where he was the Partnership Manager of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Europe’s largest student organisation. Oscar has also interned at the European Commission’s External Action Service (EEAS), the Finnish Foreign Ministry in Peru, and the Reykjavik Arts Festival in Iceland.

Mr Ross CHEUNG

Project Executive

Ross CHEUNG, a Chinese national, born, raised, and educated in Hong Kong, joined the Education Department in January 2018. He currently supports the ASEF Rectors' Conference and Students' Forum under the Education Policy Programme.

Prior to joining ASEF, Ross participated in the Model ASEM in 2012 and ASEFYLS in 2015. He first started his career in corporate financing and then research in social entrepreneurship. He completed research projects on the topics of service leadership, voiceless groups, and university graduate entrepreneurship in Hong Kong. Besides, he volunteered at the Beijing Olympic Games, provided tour in Shanghai World Expo, and served at the International House of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Ross obtained his Bachelor's degree at Hong Kong Baptist University in Sociology and China Studies. He is currently a Masters student of the Erasmus Mundus Program in Global Studies, first in University of Vienna (Austria), then in Macquarie University (Australia), and he looks forward to competing his master thesis in Leipzig University (Germany).

Ross begins everyday with Chinese tea and global news. He aims to learn more about social innovation projects in Asia and Europe, as well as to connect people from both continents.

Mr Martin VIDANES

Project Executive

Martin VIDANES is a Filipino multimedia designer. He joined ASEF in January 2019 and brings with him his experience in design and marketing from a variety of industries. He is well versed in both print and digital work, but specialises in graphic and motion design as well as video editing.

Prior to joining ASEF, Martin was employed by two multi-national companies over a span of 5 years. He has also worked in the editing room of several award-winning independent Filipino films as an assistant editor or a colourist. As a consultant, he has worked on several projects with organisations such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Nickelodeon, The Asia Foundation, The Office of (Ret.) Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, and Accord, inc.

Martin is a graduate of the University of the Philippines — Diliman with a BA in Art Studies (Interdisciplinary). Outside of work, Martin enjoys reading young adult fiction, and people. Coffee is an integral part of his day.

Mr Andy CHAN

Project Officer

Andy CHAN is a Singaporean who recently graduated from Singapore Institute of Management with a Bachelors (Hons) of Science in International Relations. He formally joined ASEF in December 2018 after completing his internship in October 2018.

Prior to joining ASEF, Andy was an intern at the US Embassy (Singapore), where he covered issues relating to Human Rights and Human Trafficking with the Economic/Political Section. In 2012, he was a Sovereign Risk intern with DBS Bank where he assisted the department in monitoring credit ratings and producing reports.

Outside of working hours, Andy spends his time volunteering at community centres and reading. His favourite genres are biography and history.

Ms Jyoti RAHAMAN

Project Officer

Jyoti RAHAMAN, a Bangladeshi national, joined ASEF’s Education Department in September 2018. She is currently supporting the ASEF ClassNet projects under ASEF Teaching and Learning Programme.

Prior to joining ASEF, Jyoti had worked as a Data Analyst for the Humanitarian Information Service (HIS) project for Internews and BBC Media Action in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where she analysed massive amount of data from the Rohingya community, UN agencies, and several INGOs, and turned them into life-saving information for refugees. Previously, she worked for several organisations namely UNESCO Headquarter in Paris, France, the Norwegian Centre for ICT in Education in Oslo, Norway; and for UNIQLO in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Jyoti graduated from her bachelor’s degree with a major in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) and a minor in Asian Studies from Asian University for Women. She obtained her joint master’s degree on Education Policies for Global Development from Autonomous University of Barcelona, University of Oslo and University of Malta. Her dissertation explored the challenges of innovating learning environment in schools to prepare learners for the 4th industrial era.

Ms Leila CELLERIER

Project Officer

Leïla CELLERIER is a Swiss citizen who studied societal sciences in Geneva and Montreal. She graduated from the University of Geneva with a bachelor in Geography and Environmental Science and a master in Socioeconomics. She joined the Education Department in September 2018 where she is assisting with upcoming projects.

Prior to that, she already spent a total of one year in the region through two internships, one at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Office for Regional Cooperation in Asia on political feminism, based in Singapore, one at UN Women Asia and the Pacific in Communications and Strategic Partnerships Department, based in Bangkok. Deeply interested in Asian cultures as well as international relations and cooperation, she worked more specifically on gender issues in relation to migration, social movements and sustainable development.

Outside of working hours, Leïla is keen on exploring the region and attending various cultural, musical and arty events.

Mr James CHAN

Inclusion Advisor

James CHAN has a Diploma in Mass Communication and joined the Education Department in May 2018. Currently, he assists the team by providing administrative and outreach support for the upcoming projects.

James was diagnosed with Autism, and prior to joining ASEF, he was selected to take part in the 21st ASEF Summer University – Youth with Disabilities, where he tackled issues related to inclusion, accessibility and mixed-ability workplaces with other youth representatives of the ASEM region.

Ms Nanthini SAMBANTHAN

Intern

Nanthini is a Singaporean citizen who studied International Relations in Australia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Gender Studies) from La Trobe University and a Masters in International Relations (International Security) from the University of Melbourne. After spending several years in Australia during which she volunteered with organisations such as RedR Australia, she has just moved back to Singapore. She joined ASEF as an intern in February 2019 and is supporting the Education department in their upcoming projects.

Prior to this, she had formerly interned at the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) in Singapore, and worked on projects such as their Aim for Zero campaign, a project which promotes zero tolerance for sexual harassment. She also writes for the Young Diplomats Society as their Regional Content Writer for Southeast Asia and has contributed articles related to the security architecture of the region. Deeply interested in ASEAN/EU relations, she has worked more specifically on the roles of regional organisations in the furthering of multilateralism.

In her free time, Nanthini enjoys reading, hiking and finding new and delicious places to eat.